Tag: fashion

Spring/summer wardrobe planning

I am determined to make a pair of linen pants this year. I decided that I started making pants with the hardest pattern I could, instead of trying something loose and forgiving with an elastic waistband. So, I found some white linen with a navy stripe and am determined to make them into pants. I bought the pattern but have not cut it out yet. Also found a Seamwork pattern that I like too. Need to take a day off to get over my fear of pants.

In the meantime, I caved and ordered some more fabric on sale yesterday. But I have plans for them!

This red and white floral fabric is a cotton poplin and I ordered 5 yards of it with the goal of making this dress. I have 5 yards of a cotton/linen blend I got at Smart which I’m going to use first (after doing a rough toile to make sure the bodice will fit). This style of dress reminds me of one of Anthropologie’s most popular designs and it’s very flattering, so I have high hopes.

I also ordered 2 yards of this cotton sateen in blue/white tile print, and 2 yards of a very boring-looking cotton twill and will likely just make more of this shirt on the right. I love this pattern. I have several that I’ve made in nicer fabric and wear to work all the time. But it’s easy to make as a casual top in linen too. Very versitile.

Last one I ordered is 2 yards of this grey Italian linen which I’m planning to make a vest with. Very excited about this vest. I have the shell pieces cut out of scrap fabric which I need to sew up to check the fit but this is another Cashmerette pattern which I feel pretty comfortable making without a toile at this point.

Dear Internet Diary,

I sewed up a quick Cashmerette Avola top yesterday out of some cream-colored wool. It looks very sleek and fancy because of the fabric, and I did a good job sewing it too, but I added 1″ in length to the shirt and really should have added like 3″. Also I want this style of shirt to feel a little less rigid (even though I used this wool because it was fairly drape-y) ….so I ordered 2 yards of a silk crepe to make up another one for the spring/summer.

Anyway that’s not even en route yet. So my current project is the green linen blazer I need to start but am putting off because I want different pockets on the front but haven’t figured out how to do them. The original pockets are just an open welt with no pocket flat, and at an angle. And I want them straight with a flap. Seems like it should be easy but I just need to sit down and figure it out. I have all the shell pieces cut out and will wait until I need the lining to cut that so it doesn’t fray too much.

Then I also have plans to use the pink silk/linen blend to make another Haskell because I like those so much. And I have a silk faille (I think faille is right) that I’ll probably use for that too. Unless I make a long-sleeved shirt with it instead. Hm. Could do another Harrison shirt.

And then there’s the slip dress that I want to make with the linen/rayon fabric I have. Need to re-print the front bodice for that one before I can get started though.

Of course, way back burner includes jeans. When will I get the courage to tackle pants again?

All this is kind of annoying because the weather is finally warming up which makes sewing easier (as my “sewing room” is in the garage which does have heat and a/c but is hard to get comfortable if the weather is very hot or very cold) – but I am in the middle of reading the Silo book series and I really just want to sit down with my book for a few hours instead of reading.

In which I make some notes about my newest hobby

Stephen got me a sewing machine for my birthday last year, along with basically all the supplies you could want, so I have tackled garment sewing this year. It’s great fun, I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to learn to sew my own clothes.

I’m calling myself “advanced beginner” at this point, though I have made some more intermediate patterns and done a pretty decent job. But it’s fun to see myself getting better at everything with each new piece that I complete.

Anyway, I had started the Cashmerette Sloper School earlier this year but only finished two muslins. I am going to go back and finish the school so that I have a really well-fitting sloper, and use that to make a little black dress. I have a few black dresses I’ve bought ready-to-wear but I don’t really love any of them. I’m excited about being able to make my own with a pattern that fits me, and a fabric that I choose.

Which, speaking of fabric, I ordered some samples from Stonemountain and Daughter to get a feel for what I order before i order it. I’m still not very well versed in the different fabric types. I ordered samples of a medium weight crepe because I know I love the feel of those, but I’m not sure if that’s the best fabric for my body type. I also ordered a modal knit, and a cotton stretch poplin.

I’m brainstorming necklines and skirt styles for this dress. I think I want it to be pretty plain to make it easy to dress up with jewelry. I’m going back and forth between a scoop neck and a sort of modified sweetheart neckline with straps. Not sure what that would be called. For the skirt, thinking of a sheath skirt with back slit, or a fuller skirt with pleats.

Basically debating these two styles.

I plan to make muslins of both, to see if I can even pull it off.

So my weekend plan (I know it’s Tuesday) is to polish my sloper. Then next weekend work on hacking it